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The Shift from Flash to HTML5 - What You Need to Know

Site Online Learning | September 10, 2018

It’s been eight years since Steve Jobs wrote the famous Thoughts on Flash open letter. He defended Apple’s decision not to allow Adobe’s Flash technology on its devices due to six key problems and stated, “new open standards created in the mobile era, such as HTML5, will win on mobile devices (and on PCs too).”

What’s HTML?

Firstly, HTML is short for "Hyper Text Markup Language". That may sound scary, but it simply means it is a language for describing web-pages using ordinary text. HTML is not a complex programming language. HTML5, its latest successor is an open source technology that been thoroughly tested, has no major issues, and fins support of all key browsers.

Why is migration of your eLearning courses from Flash to HTML necessary?

Here are some more reasons prompting the shift -

Mobile Learning is often not supported by Flash

Learning is clearly moving from traditional eLearning methods to mLearning (Mobile Learning and Micro-Learning) which is multi device. The need for learning content that’s accessible from multiple devices is almost a necessity today.

Flash, however, is not supported by major mobile platforms such as Apple and Android. This propels eLearning developers to choose HTML5 which has the ability to deliver content on different browses and mobile devices.

HTML5 is new media-rich

Let’s face it – boring eLearning and training isn’t going to help engage anyone. Video, audio and adding other entertaining content is one way to add new and exciting aspects to your learning programs.

HTML5 includes new audio and video tags that let developers embed these files directly into their HTML code. This makes it possible for learners to view e-learning directly in their web browsers, without Flash.

HTML5 can be tracked with Learning Management Systems

Published eLearning content “communicates” with the LMS using a variety of specifications, including AICC, SCORM, and TinCan API. The good news is that HTML5 output can be tracked in all these publishing specifications—meaning it can work with existing systems—which is a big plus for organisations.

If this isn’t convincing, Adobe promised to end development and support for Flash in 2020 making HTML5 a go-to design solution for Instructional Designers and developers. To create eLearning experiences that are engaging, mobile-friendly and efficient shifting from Flash to HTML5 is recommended.

At Site Online Learning, we can help you with alternatives to using Flash for learning content. If you’d talk to a Subject Matter Expert, call us on 1300 800 288 or email contact@so.edu.au.